Alcaraz walked onto the Melbourne court wearing LeBron’s name and a lot of intent.
The world number one arrived in Melbourne for practice and an exhibition schedule that could set him up to complete a Career Grand Slam, while also flashing a clear nod to one of basketball’s biggest stars.
Alcaraz Wears LeBron Jersey At Practice
Carlos Alcaraz was rocking a LeBron James Lakers jersey during a practice session ahead of next week’s Australian Open 🔥
ClutchPoints
The jersey was spotted during Alcaraz’s first Melbourne practice, a visual tribute to LeBron James that felt both casual and carefully chosen, reflecting the Spaniard’s long public love of basketball and cross-sport admiration.
Reports note the practice took place on January 11, with Alcaraz already in town after exhibition commitments in South Korea alongside Jannik Sinner, showing the usual pre-slam routine of travel, light sessions, and public appearances.
On-Court Prep And Exhibition Plans
Alcaraz is slated to appear in an Opening Week exhibition against Alex de Minaur and will also take part in the new 1 Point Slam, a shootout-style event pitching pros and amateurs for a big prize and extra match practice under pressure.
The 1 Point Slam promises a flashy lead into the main draw and a little more court time for Alcaraz, who has not played the Brisbane International or United Cup but has kept his hitting sharp ahead of Melbourne.
Beyond exhibitions, the Australian Open itself represents the only major missing from Alcaraz’s collection, with observers pointing out he could become the youngest man in history to complete a Career Grand Slam if he wins the title in Melbourne.
Practice Partners, Matchups And Context
Alcaraz returns to the Rod Laver Arena on January 12 for a practice session arranged with world number nine Taylor Fritz, giving the two plenty of live hitting ahead of their potential tournament encounters and media attention.
Fritz and Alcaraz have met often on tour, with Fritz still searching for a competitive win over the Spaniard, though Fritz did beat him in straight sets during the Laver Cup team event in San Francisco.
The tennis and basketball crossover story runs deeper than a jersey. ClutchPoints highlighted Alcaraz’s social post, and it noted LeBron’s ongoing ties to tennis projects, while also listing Alcaraz as the world number one with 12,050 points.
ClutchPoints also referenced LeBron’s current NBA season, noting the Lakers sit at 23-13 with James averaging 21.9 points, 6.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds, figures that underline why LeBron remains a cultural reference beyond basketball.
Connections between the sports are visible elsewhere too, from LeBron’s partnerships and productions to high-profile moments with players like Coco Gauff, who sits at 6,423 points in women’s rankings, reinforcing a genuine mutual respect across athletes.
For Alcaraz, the jersey is a lighthearted moment in a serious week, but it also humanizes a player under immense pressure to add the Australian Open to his Grand Slam tally, a storyline that will follow every practice and match through the fortnight.
If Alcaraz does take the Melbourne title, the social-media reaction will be nearly as interesting as the trophy presentation, and the sport may well get a congratulatory note from LeBron himself if history is made on the blue courts.
Until the main draw begins on January 12, expect more staged practices, friendly exhibitions, and small cultural moments that tell you as much about a player’s headspace as any press conference or statistic.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
